Whippersnapper...
12-16-21 | 03:30 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,967
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From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: many
Whippersnapper...
I was out riding today. 'Twas a fine day, to be sure, a bit chilly and the winds were gusty, but the sun was shining. What's not to like? I stopped to take a quick pic in Glencoe at the entrance to Ravine Bluffs.
I turned at the Fort and headed back south. As I was entering downtown Highland Park, I was passed by a young gun on one of those plastic fantastic bikes. I don't know what it was. He passed me in a blur. Just after passing me, he charged through a four-way stop, forcing an oncoming car (who had the right-of-way) to stop, then continued on his way. About a half a block south, he quickly looked back in my direction. What? Are you hoping I will give chase? I'm no fool. My bike is probably 10 pounds heavier than yours. I am probably 20 pounds heavier than you. I am also probably at least 25 years older than you. I'm not going to chase you.
Then I had a vision of George Lucas's next Star Wars rewrite:
I turned at the Fort and headed back south. As I was entering downtown Highland Park, I was passed by a young gun on one of those plastic fantastic bikes. I don't know what it was. He passed me in a blur. Just after passing me, he charged through a four-way stop, forcing an oncoming car (who had the right-of-way) to stop, then continued on his way. About a half a block south, he quickly looked back in my direction. What? Are you hoping I will give chase? I'm no fool. My bike is probably 10 pounds heavier than yours. I am probably 20 pounds heavier than you. I am also probably at least 25 years older than you. I'm not going to chase you.
Then I had a vision of George Lucas's next Star Wars rewrite:
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12-16-21 | 03:44 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,095
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
I was out riding today. 'Twas a fine day, to be sure, a bit chilly and the winds were gusty, but the sun was shining. What's not to like? I stopped to take a quick pic in Glencoe at the entrance to Ravine Bluffs.
I turned at the Fort and headed back south. As I was entering downtown Highland Park, I was passed by a young gun on one of those plastic fantastic bikes. I don't know what it was. He passed me in a blur. Just after passing me, he charged through a four-way stop, forcing an oncoming car (who had the right-of-way) to stop, then continued on his way. About a half a block south, he quickly looked back in my direction. What? Are you hoping I will give chase? I'm no fool. My bike is probably 10 pounds heavier than yours. I am probably 20 pounds heavier than you. I am also probably at least 25 years older than you. I'm not going to chase you.
Then I had a vision of George Lucas's next Star Wars rewrite
I turned at the Fort and headed back south. As I was entering downtown Highland Park, I was passed by a young gun on one of those plastic fantastic bikes. I don't know what it was. He passed me in a blur. Just after passing me, he charged through a four-way stop, forcing an oncoming car (who had the right-of-way) to stop, then continued on his way. About a half a block south, he quickly looked back in my direction. What? Are you hoping I will give chase? I'm no fool. My bike is probably 10 pounds heavier than yours. I am probably 20 pounds heavier than you. I am also probably at least 25 years older than you. I'm not going to chase you.
Then I had a vision of George Lucas's next Star Wars rewrite
12-16-21 | 04:24 PM
#3
Banned.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 12,292
Likes: 4,863
From: PAZ
Hopefully he'll live long enough to grow out of the "look at me" phase 
DD
DD
12-16-21 | 04:33 PM
#4
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,444
Likes: 7,978
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
There are old cyclists,
and bold cyclists...
and bold cyclists...
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
12-16-21 | 07:36 PM
#8
Banned.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 12,292
Likes: 4,863
From: PAZ
Ha ha - I read this as "Strava Steve" - and from now on, that's what I'm gonna call them!
No offense intended to those BF members named Steve
DD
No offense intended to those BF members named Steve
DD
12-16-21 | 08:07 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,132
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From: Medford MA
Bikes: Ron Cooper touring, 1959 Jack Taylor 650b ladyback touring tandem, Vitus 979, Joe Bell painted Claud Butler Dalesman, Colin Laing curved tube tandem, heavily-Dilberted 1982 Trek 6xx, René Herse tandem
ME TOO!! 
Also no offense intended. The guy who taught me how to machine metal, his name is Steve and I love him to death. More into motorcycles than bikes though. Maybe he does have strava and uses it to set ridiculous KOMs on his Kawasaki, just to be a troll.
Also no offense intended. The guy who taught me how to machine metal, his name is Steve and I love him to death. More into motorcycles than bikes though. Maybe he does have strava and uses it to set ridiculous KOMs on his Kawasaki, just to be a troll.
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
12-16-21 | 08:54 PM
#10
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Fred and Steve walk into a bar.
Steve says to Fred as they sit down, "Look, bro...your bike is ancient and that T-shirt/New Balance 624 kit is lame. Can you even climb on that heavy, old, piece of crap? Was that a freewheel?!"
Fred replies, "Oh, ok! Mister no mirror, no lights, lycra whizz bang hot shot. Got enough gears back there, or has your new group already reached its expiration date?”
The argument gets louder and louder until the guy sitting on the next stool down finally has had enough.
“Guys, please! Some of us are trying to relax here. Besides, you both have more bike than you could ever possibly need. Give me an hour out in my shed and both of those bikes will be free of all that unnecessary junk the bike shop ripped you off on.”
Fred and Steve reply in unison, “Who the hell are you?”
The guy says, “The name’s Drew. I’m a bike mechanic.”
Steve says to Fred as they sit down, "Look, bro...your bike is ancient and that T-shirt/New Balance 624 kit is lame. Can you even climb on that heavy, old, piece of crap? Was that a freewheel?!"
Fred replies, "Oh, ok! Mister no mirror, no lights, lycra whizz bang hot shot. Got enough gears back there, or has your new group already reached its expiration date?”
The argument gets louder and louder until the guy sitting on the next stool down finally has had enough.
“Guys, please! Some of us are trying to relax here. Besides, you both have more bike than you could ever possibly need. Give me an hour out in my shed and both of those bikes will be free of all that unnecessary junk the bike shop ripped you off on.”
Fred and Steve reply in unison, “Who the hell are you?”
The guy says, “The name’s Drew. I’m a bike mechanic.”
12-16-21 | 10:03 PM
#11
Banned.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 12,292
Likes: 4,863
From: PAZ
Fred and Steve walk into a bar.
Steve says to Fred as they sit down, "Look, bro...your bike is ancient and that T-shirt/New Balance 624 kit is lame. Can you even climb on that heavy, old, piece of crap? Was that a freewheel?!"
Fred replies, "Oh, ok! Mister no mirror, no lights, lycra whizz bang hot shot. Got enough gears back there, or has your new group already reached its expiration date?”
The argument gets louder and louder until the guy sitting on the next stool down finally has had enough.
“Guys, please! Some of us are trying to relax here. Besides, you both have more bike than you could ever possibly need. Give me an hour out in my shed and both of those bikes will be free of all that unnecessary junk the bike shop ripped you off on.”
Fred and Steve reply in unison, “Who the hell are you?”
The guy says, “The name’s Drew. I’m a bike mechanic.”
Steve says to Fred as they sit down, "Look, bro...your bike is ancient and that T-shirt/New Balance 624 kit is lame. Can you even climb on that heavy, old, piece of crap? Was that a freewheel?!"
Fred replies, "Oh, ok! Mister no mirror, no lights, lycra whizz bang hot shot. Got enough gears back there, or has your new group already reached its expiration date?”
The argument gets louder and louder until the guy sitting on the next stool down finally has had enough.
“Guys, please! Some of us are trying to relax here. Besides, you both have more bike than you could ever possibly need. Give me an hour out in my shed and both of those bikes will be free of all that unnecessary junk the bike shop ripped you off on.”
Fred and Steve reply in unison, “Who the hell are you?”
The guy says, “The name’s Drew. I’m a bike mechanic.”
DD
12-16-21 | 10:22 PM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7,852
Likes: 716
From: Stillwater, OK
Fred and Steve walk into a bar.
Steve says to Fred as they sit down, "Look, bro...your bike is ancient and that T-shirt/New Balance 624 kit is lame. Can you even climb on that heavy, old, piece of crap? Was that a freewheel?!"
Fred replies, "Oh, ok! Mister no mirror, no lights, lycra whizz bang hot shot. Got enough gears back there, or has your new group already reached its expiration date?”
The argument gets louder and louder until the guy sitting on the next stool down finally has had enough.
“Guys, please! Some of us are trying to relax here. Besides, you both have more bike than you could ever possibly need. Give me an hour out in my shed and both of those bikes will be free of all that unnecessary junk the bike shop ripped you off on.”
Fred and Steve reply in unison, “Who the hell are you?”
The guy says, “The name’s Drew. I’m a bike mechanic.”
Steve says to Fred as they sit down, "Look, bro...your bike is ancient and that T-shirt/New Balance 624 kit is lame. Can you even climb on that heavy, old, piece of crap? Was that a freewheel?!"
Fred replies, "Oh, ok! Mister no mirror, no lights, lycra whizz bang hot shot. Got enough gears back there, or has your new group already reached its expiration date?”
The argument gets louder and louder until the guy sitting on the next stool down finally has had enough.
“Guys, please! Some of us are trying to relax here. Besides, you both have more bike than you could ever possibly need. Give me an hour out in my shed and both of those bikes will be free of all that unnecessary junk the bike shop ripped you off on.”
Fred and Steve reply in unison, “Who the hell are you?”
The guy says, “The name’s Drew. I’m a bike mechanic.”
__________________
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
12-16-21 | 11:13 PM
#13
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,103
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From: Beaverton, OR
Bikes: Yes
I think you'll find that the correct dialogue is:
"Obi Wan never told you how old I am, Luke."
"He told me enough. He told me you're really old."
"No! I am old enough to be your father!"
[/pedantic nerd mode]
"Obi Wan never told you how old I am, Luke."
"He told me enough. He told me you're really old."
"No! I am old enough to be your father!"
[/pedantic nerd mode]
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My Bikes
My Bikes
12-17-21 | 04:25 AM
#14
Bianchi Goddess
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28,890
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From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
That reminds of those old stories in Cyclist magazine about someone only identified as “the marketing man”.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
12-17-21 | 10:15 AM
#17
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,350
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From: Central Virginia
Bikes: Numerous
Ha sometimes I will pedal a little harder to delay the catch but I never chase any more. On the plus side, they never catch me on the downhill! Sometimes though, the whippersnapper pass has its benefits. A couple years ago a young guy caught up tom me and slowed down to chat. He admired my Carrera and Campy bits, then asked me since he upgraded to Campy 11 speed did I want his old 10 speed parts? I said of course!, so we met later and he gave me a box full of nice parts. Included in the box was a nice Record titanium post and I said "dude I can take this", so helped him sell it over on Paceline - everybody wins!
BTW, I always enjoy your and thinktubes ride pics. My wife is from Lake Bluff and I love those North Shore villages. If we go Downtown, I like to take Sheridan all the way rather than the freeway for the scenic views.
BTW, I always enjoy your and thinktubes ride pics. My wife is from Lake Bluff and I love those North Shore villages. If we go Downtown, I like to take Sheridan all the way rather than the freeway for the scenic views.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
Last edited by Spaghetti Legs; 12-17-21 at 10:21 AM.
12-17-21 | 10:44 AM
#18
weapons-grade bolognium
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,607
Likes: 3,307
From: Across the street from Chicago
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
If we didn't have the North Shore, riding would be dismal. Fun to ride through a lifestyle I'll never afford 
When driving, I'll take Sheridan whenever time allows - beautiful year-round.
When driving, I'll take Sheridan whenever time allows - beautiful year-round.
12-17-21 | 11:09 AM
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 5,159
From: Central Virginia
Bikes: Numerous
Yeah, makes me regret not starting that meat packing company BITD.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
12-17-21 | 12:26 PM
#20
weapons-grade bolognium
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,607
Likes: 3,307
From: Across the street from Chicago
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
12-17-21 | 06:19 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,565
Likes: 2,739
From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
You might get a bang out of this...
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
12-17-21 | 10:53 PM
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 17,196
Likes: 761
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
skip, that’s where Tower road Tee’s into Sheridan, right? When I was a kid we would start a now-forbidden sprint at that light!
12-17-21 | 10:57 PM
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 17,196
Likes: 761
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
12-18-21 | 05:26 AM
#25
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,967
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From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: many
https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9inURyBPWjYUBmW8
There's a matching one at the northern intersection. Most of the Wright-designed homes are on Meadow.
I think you're referring to three ravine on Sheridan just north of Tower.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QpJXWHA4zJaMufzC6
Yes, riding Sheridan between Your and Scott has been forbidden since someone in the 90s. I got a ticket in (I think) the summer of 2020 for taking that route. Presumably, bikes are excluded for safety reasons, but I've never gotten a clear explanation of why it's still off-limits. Once upon a time the road and sidewalk through there weren't in very good shape, but the resurfaced everything a few years ago. Still paternalistically off-limits...